Dr Smith completed her medical degree at Sydney University in 2001 with Honours. Following a residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, she undertook general surgical training at RPA, Concord and Liverpool Hospitals as well as time training in Plastic surgery at The Canberra Hospital. Her training has involved a broad experience in all aspects of the specialty of General Surgery, including gastrointestinal and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, endoscopy, skin cancer surgery, breast surgery and hernia surgery.

Dr Smith is a clinician and an academic surgeon. She has completed a Bachelor of Science, a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology and a Doctor of Philosophy. Michaella spent four years at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at Sydney University developing her research skills and received a Cancer Institute NSW Research Scholarship and an NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Cancer Clinical Trials Research scholarship for her research on arm symptoms following breast cancer surgery. She has spoken at numerous national and international meetings on assessing outcomes and quality of life after surgery, Sentinel node biopsy, and other aspects of general surgery and rural health. Her research interests are now broadly focused on improving outcomes after surgery, particularly for those living in rural areas.

Michaella enjoys teaching and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Wollongong. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and a member of the Academic Surgery and the Rural Surgery sections of the college as well as a member of General Surgeons Australia. She offers a specialist service for the treatment of a range of general surgical conditions including skin cancers, breast conditions, open and laparoscopic (keyhole) hernia repair, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and gastrointestinal surgery and other minor procedures including vasectomy and carpal tunnel release. She is accredited to perform both Endoscopy and Colonoscopy and holds current CCRTGE certification.

Dr Smith has lived in the Southern Highlands since 2006. She is married to Dr Kim and is a mother of six boys.